Lack of Big Hits on Networks Creates a Drought Downstream on Cable Channels

The TBS cable network agreed in 2010 to shell out top dollar for reruns of the CBS hit comedy "The Big Bang Theory." The bet paid huge dividends, as the show made TBS one of the most-watched cable channels.

So in 2012 TBS committed to write an even bigger check for another CBS comedy, "2 Broke Girls," hoping it would become the next big thing. It didn't. TBS won't start airing the reruns until next year but the...